Not Just ‘Rare Earths': U.S. Gets Many Critical Minerals From China

New York Times

16-04-2025

Three years ago, after the pandemic had laid bare the world's vulnerability to supply-chain disruptions, the U.S. government designated a large swath of the periodic table of elements — 50 minerals in all — as 'critical.'
The United States obtains more than half of them, including a category of 17 minerals known as 'rare earths,' mostly from China. And this week, China tightened its export restrictions on six rare earths, all but halting U.S. access to new supplies.
Here's a look at just how dependent the United States is on China for a broad range of these critical minerals, including rare earths.
U.S. relies on China for many critical minerals
Share of U.S. imports sourced from China
Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass
72%
Bismuth Medical and atomic research
68%
Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants
63%
Arsenic Semiconductors
58%
Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells
42%
Barite Hydrocarbon production
30%
Tungsten Wear-resistant metals
27%
Germanium Fiber optics, night vision
26%
Tantalum Electronic components
24%
Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys
22%
Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices
21%
Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals
9%
Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline
6%
Lithium Rechargeable batteries
3%
Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy, polishing compounds
72%
Bismuth Medical and atomic research
68%
Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants
63%
Arsenic Semiconductors
58%
Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells
42%
Barite Hydrocarbon production
30%
Tungsten Wear-resistant metals
27%
Germanium Fiber optics, night vision
26%
Tantalum Electronic components
24%
Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys, high-temperature ceramics
22%
Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices
21%
Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals
9%
Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, fluorine chemicals
6%
Lithium Rechargeable batteries
3%
Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass
Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass
72%
Bismuth Medical and atomic research
68%
Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants
63%
Arsenic Semiconductors
58%
Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells
42%
Barite Hydrocarbon production
30%
Tungsten Wear-resistant metals
27%
Germanium Fiber optics, night vision
26%
Tantalum Electronic components
24%
Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys
22%
Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices
21%
Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals
9%
Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline
6%
Lithium Rechargeable batteries
3%
Rare earths Used for catalytic converters, ceramics, glass, metallurgy
72%
Bismuth Medical and atomic research
68%
Antimony Lead-acid batteries, flame retardants
63%
Arsenic Semiconductors
58%
Graphite Lubricants, batteries, fuel cells
42%
Barite Hydrocarbon production
30%
Tungsten Wear-resistant metals
27%
Germanium Fiber optics, night vision
26%
Tantalum Electronic components
24%
Hafnium Nuclear control rods, alloys, high-temperature ceramics
22%
Gallium Integrated circuits, optical devices
21%
Magnesium Alloys, reducing metals
9%
Fluorspar Aluminum, cement, steel, gasoline, fluorine chemicals
6%
Lithium Rechargeable batteries
3%
Percentages refer to minerals in their raw and refined forms, not finished goods. Uses are listed for illustrative purposes.
U.S. Geological Survey, TD Bank
By The New York Times
China not only mines most of the world's rare earths, it is home to most of the world's capacity for refining them. Refining refers to the process of taking the raw minerals and turning them into compounds that have broad industrial applications, whether in batteries or semiconductors or fiber optics, or even the magnets that enable power steering in most vehicles.
Many rare earths have chemical properties that make them heat resistant, so they can be used to create high-quality magnets, glass, lights and batteries. Magnets made from rare earths are significantly more powerful and valuable than other types, particularly in electric-car production.
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